Lonscale Fell is a hill in the
English Lake District and it's pointed second top is instantly
recognisable, standing at the eastern end of the Skiddaw massif. The
fell is easily climbed from Keswick or from Skiddaw House to the north.
Although now primarily a sheep pasture, it once saw considerable mining
activity beneath the long eastern wall of crag.

The long south east ridge of Skiddaw descends over Little Man and
Jenkin Hill to the depression of Flag Pots. Beyond this is the final
upthrust of Lonscale Fell before the craggy descent to the Glenderaterra
Beck.

The southern flanks fall gently over acres of sheep pasture
in the manner of the Skiddaw range. At the base of the slope is the
wooded valley of Whit Beck separating Lonscale Fell from the east ridge
of Latrigg. Here also is Lonscale, the farm which has given its name to
the fell.

Whit Beck is a tributary of the Glenderaterra, a stream
which forms the eastern boundary of Lonscale Fell. This flows due south
from Skiddaw Forest between the Skiddaw massif and Blencathra, before
joining the River Greta and running on through Keswick.

The
eastern face of the fell above the Glenderaterra is a mile long scarp of
crags, a singular feature in the Skiddaw range.

To the north of
the fell is Skiddaw Forest and confusingly, this forest contains no
trees other than the windbreak of Skiddaw House, but is a marshy upland
area at around 1,300 ft surrounded on all sides by higher fells.

Three streams flow from Skiddaw Forest dividing the Northern Fells into
three sectors. Dash Beck runs north west, the River Caldew north east
and the River Glenderaterra south.

The single building in Skiddaw
Forest is Skiddaw House, which has variously seen service as a
shepherds' bothy and a Youth Hostel.

The northern boundary of
Lonscale Fell is Salehow Beck, a tributary of the River Caldew, its
waters bound for the Solway Firth by way of Carlisle.

Beyond the
river is Great Calva, the first of the Back o'Skiddaw fells. The feeders
of Salehow Beck and Whit Beck flow from the col of Flag Pots, completing
the western boundary.

The highest point of Lonscale Fell lies on
a gentle dome on the western side of the fell. The prominent peaked top
visible from below lies to the east at a height of 2,306 ft. This is
referred to as Lonscale Pike by some guidebooks.

The watershed
between the Greta to the south and the Caldew to the north actually
bypasses both of these tops, following the north eastern ridge of Burnt
Horse over a top at 2,295 ft and then onward to Mungrisdale Common, an
outlier of Blencathra.

The highest point bears a small cairn from
which a fine Lakeland panorama is displayed southward. Thirlmere and
Derwentwater are seen along with all of the major fell groupings. To the
other points of the compass the northern fells intervene, close up but
less inspiring.

The ascent from Keswick or as a labour saving
alternative from the Gale Road car park behind Latrigg, a number of
routes present themselves.

Flag Pots can be reached from the
tourist route to Skiddaw or a direct line can be taken up the southern
slopes.

Another possibility is to follow the southern edge of
Lonscale Crags and the final (and longest) option is to contour right
around the fell up the Glenderaterra and outflank it from behind.

From the Glenderaterra or from Skiddaw House, the climber can make
use of either the Burnt Horse Ridge, or a direct scramble up the
buttress to reach Lonscale Pike.